Audiovisual Synchrony and Asynchrony in Television

Audiovisual Synchrony, Asynchrony, and Antisynchrony

The Simultaneous and Sequential Expression: Diachrony-Synchrony

This section explores the interplay of synchronicity and diachrony, or the dual-axis operation of simultaneous and successive relations, through the process of assembly. Everything revolves around the combination of space and time.

Simultaneous Plurispatial Scope in Television

Television has the ability to reflect multiple spaces simultaneously. In the subsequent presentation of narrative spaces, live TV links remote sites located in different places, creating a new space that does not exist in reality.

Scope refers to the place where partners and presented realities converge. When a connection is made with correspondents in different countries via multiplex or duplex, a new field is created. This allows for a real space domain and full disclosure of the new system of interlocutors. An example is the teleconference, a meeting of two distant groups conversing through television.

Time in the News

Television is a medium that relies on the exposure of its message in a brief and unrepeatable time. The result of the diachrony of the expressive system is the duration of the news. The typical duration of one to two minutes for news stories on TV necessitates a concise explanation. Each story is based on a set of shots with varying durations.

Synchronous-Asynchronous Relations Between Images, Sounds, and Text

Images, sounds, and text can occur simultaneously, but their interconnections can vary. In some cases, these three systems reinforce the same reference, creating a synchronous accumulation. Additionally, a second relationship called asynchrony is generated, where expressive systems interact to complement the look and harmonize. In this context, words acquire new meanings through their graphical representation, whether moving or stationary.

Relations Between Images and Text

Text serves multiple functions in relation to images:

• Fixing or anchoring meaning
• Identifying names and titles
• Presenting numerical data and statistical information
• Providing headlines and service information
• Creating summaries
• Offering translations
• Harmonization

The script allows for the simultaneous incorporation of information with images to clarify and identify areas of ambiguity or elements absent in the images. The writing of television information is subject to the principles of legibility, visibility, and information density.

Relationship Between Images and Sound

Technical Synchronization of Image and Sound

Technical synchronization of images and sound is essential. This synchronization occurs not only when the story is continuous in both sets of images and sounds but also when there is some discontinuity in either. Upon their return, synchronism must be maintained.

Expressive Synchronization: Sound IN and OFF

Expressive synchronization builds upon technical synchronization but allows for the visual and audible expression to be either present or absent on the screen.

SOUND IN has two variants:

1. Direct Target-Sync: When the visual source that produces the sound is on display.
2. Indirect Objective Sync: When the visual source of the sound is not on screen but is still part of the situation.

Asynchrony

Asynchrony occurs when there is no physical match between the image and the sound source. In asynchrony, the presence of sound is claimed by something that is not present, either directly or indirectly, on the screen. Asynchronous relationships also exist between linkage maps of audiovisual planes.